TROUBLE // Jemma

Chapter 27: Wizard PI

[In case you're asking, a PI is a private investigator.]

Hi guys. I know I haven't been updating for weeks now and I think my readers deserve to know the reason: I was hospitalized for a week (Second time this year, huhu. first was last March when I said I got a cast, like Jax.) but now I'm back but I'm stuck at a writing slump.

A writing slump is similar to a writer's block, writing slumps are just a bit lighter. In a writing slump, you still have ideas, you already have the urge to write, yet you don't feel like writing so you feel like you didn't do good. So apologies if this chapter was affected by my writing slump.

Also, this book will end at the thirtieth chapter. I may extend it for a few more like I did to Same Heart.

Thanks for reading my long Author's Note. Here's a short recap of what happened before just to refresh your memories:

Jax and Emma finally rekindled their relationship but an incident at their secret spot triggers them to get lost in a dark mysterious cave.

Meanwhile, Mia and Andi try their best to cover for Jax and Emma as they skipped school (even if they don't know what happened to them or where they are). Francisco is suspicious of their actions and promises to get to the bottom of it, assuming that Jax and Emma are missing in Miami.

Chapter 27

Somewhere near the areas of their secret spot, Emma and Jax didn't know what to do, in all honesty. For all they knew was they were in a cave (one that was quite organized for such) and that it was near Iridium High. They felt like when they entered, there was no exit.

After the long walk, Emma wanted to take a break. She didn't even care about the dirt. Her feet were sore and her legs were already wobbly, as she complained. However, as they heard a baritone voice nearby, it filled them with hope and pushed them to keep walking.

Once they found the source of the voice, it was revealed to be two identical wizards, holding one of their palms up, ready to cast a spell. Their clothing was all in black and from Jax's judgments, they looked like bouncers or bodyguards.

"Hey," one of the wizards called out Jax and Emma. "This is a private investigatory lab. No humans allowed."

Jax scowled at them. "We're not humans."

The other wizard pulled out a gadget from his side, pointing it towards Emma. Positive, it read. Next, he pointed it towards Jax. Positive, it also read.

The two wizards both nodded as a response. "Ah, we see you're also from the Realm but what are you doing here? You lost, little kiddies?"

As Jax was about to retort, Emma shushed him, knowing he'll just end up trash-talking to them. The last thing they want to do is to start a fight with possibly the only people who can help them at the moment.

Emma said shyly, "We got lost, actually, and we need help getting out."

The wizard sighed. "Sorry, little kiddo. No can do."

"But... you guys are our only source of help! We still have school and more important things to do," Emma cried.

The other wizard sighed, mimicking his partner. "Sure, we'll help you, if it's anything more imporant than what the Council and the staff of the investigatory lab are telling us to do."

Jax raised a brow. "Which is?"

One of the identical wizard stepped forward, pulling out two separate pictures. "See these people right here? They're under probation as commanded by the Council for attempting to try to take over the Realm and destroy the Chosen One--"

The other shushed him, pointing his hand towards Emma. "I know that face. She's the Chosen One."

Emma jumped for joy. "Yes! Now will you help us get out of here?"

"Sure, but first, we need help finding the two criminals who almost killed you a year ago, Jake Novoa and Jax Novoa."

Jax's hopeful face immediately fell into a hopeless one, knowing what exactly these magical private investigators were going to do to him.

Right from the day he accepted his father's plan, or should I say his mother's plan, he was already anticipating this moment. He just never thought that day would be today.

***

"Jessie..." a soft voice called out. The young girl turned around to face the man calling him, Julio, his eldest brother. As soon as she noticed his presence, she started backing away from him, getting herself out of bed one step at a time.

Julio frowned. "Jess, don't be scared. It's just me, Julio."

Jessie scowled at him. "Of course I know it's you. Quite ironic actually that I already know your looks in a snap yet you left me since I was child."

Just a few more steps back and she was already stopped by her closet. There's no more turning back.

"I know, I made a mistake. I'm sorry, truly sorry Jessie." Julio said, softly. He reached out to take her hand but his little sis yanked her arm, stopping him.

He scratched his head. "I know I've done millions of mistakes in the past to lose your trust, as well as Jax's and Jake's, but I'm here to earn it back. I'm going to prove myself. I promise."

Jessie let out a short laugh. "You must be quite outdated, bro. Here in the Novoa family, dad taught us not to believe in petty promises. He never believed in them eversince mom broke her promise to love and stay with him through the rest of his life, the one they built in their marriage ceremony."

Julio shook his head. "Well, I don't care. Your big bro is going to prove himself worthy to earn your trust back again."

Jessie crinkled her nose. "That big bro title belongs to Jax, by the way. I know we've been together for a short time but he already proved himself worthy instantly."

Julio sighed and muttered, "This is going to be harder than I thought."

***

Meanwhile, Emma was battling between playing the Chosen One card to protect the Realm and playing the girlfriend card to protect Jax and his father.

Jax, who was mentally nervous as fuck, already sketched a plan. He grabbed his phone and opened his camera.

"I think getting us out of this cave would be more important." A sly smirk formed on his face as he pressed record. "The Chosen One said so, right?"

The two Magic PIs looked at each other and nodded. "You're right." Recording ended.

One of the wizard PIs dropped the folder with the information of the Novoas. Jax and the PIs picked it up at the same time, causing the wizard duo to glance at the pictures and then his face.

"Hold on a second... you're the Novoa!"